Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Classic rock, pop, and soul songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s
Today’s classic song of the day was written way back in 1955, was a minor hit for three different artists in the ’50s, then became a major smash for the Righteous Brothers in 1965. The song is “Unchained Melody,” and it’s one of my all-time favorites. The music for “Unchained Melody” was written by film composer Alex North, with lyrics…
Today is the first day of September here on planet Earth, so it’s only fitting that today’s classic song of the day is one titled “See You in September.” It’s all about two young lovers separating at the beginning of summer vacation but knowing that they’ll be back together again when summer is over and school begins again in September.…
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller helped create the type of rock and pop music that has ruled the airwaves for the past 70 years. Either as songwriters or producers (and often both), they infused black rhythm and blues with lush orchestration, radio-friendly production, and a general polish that music pre-Leiber and Stoller didn’t possess. Today’s classic song of the day,…
Here’s today’s classic song of the day, “My Boy Lollipop.” You probably know it from the 1964 single by Jamaican singer Millie Small, which went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced ska music to the U.S. and the UK. Ms. Small’s version was not the original, however. That honor goes to a then-14 year-old singer named Barbie…
Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day here in the United States of America, and today’s classic song of the day is the aptly chosen “Back in the U.S.A.” It was a hit first for founding rock ‘n’ roller Chuck Berry back in 1959 then, a few decades later, for singer Linda Ronstadt. As legend has it, Chuck Berry…
Still celebrating the songs of summer, today’s classic summer song of the day is “Summertime Blues.” Written by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart, this one was a hit for three different artists—and covered by many more. The first version of “Summertime Blues” was released by Eddie Cochran, the song’s co-writer, in July of 1958. Eddie played all the guitar parts…
Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Frosty the Snowman,” all about that jolly happy soul who came to life one winter’s day. The song was written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson way back in 1950. Rollins had previously written “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” and other songs, primarily for country artists like Gene Autry, Hank Snow, George…
Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” written by famed songwriter Frank Loesser. It’s not a Christmas song per se, in that it doesn’t mention the holidays, but its snowy winter theme inspires listeners to identify it with the season. Frank Loesser wrote “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in 1944 to sing with his wife, Lynn…
Today’s classic Christmas song is in three-quarter time. It’s “The Christmas Waltz,” originally performed by Frank Sinatra but also by dozens if not hundreds of others over the years. “The Christmas Waltz” was written by legendary songwriters Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne for Frank Sinatra back in 1954. Frank requested a Christmas song from the pair, and you don’t turn…